My Tower Wont Turn On Help

footymadhouse

Hi my sons computer tower wont turn on its completeley dead, we have tried changing fuse in plug to no avail, any ideas please, would love to mend it as pretty skint and its his life line, thanks.:j

tom9980

How old is the tower? and do you know the make/model?

Is it out of warranty?

Have you tried another power lead?

Most towers have a black rocker switch on the back near where the power lead plugs into the tower try turning the PC on with it in both positions does this help?

Is there important information and data on the PC and do you have a backup?

Any further steps involve opening the tower are your comfortable to do this yourself? if your a bit of a DIY type of person this usually wont be too hard for you with guidance.

marleyboy

It sounds like the power supply has blown, theyre pretty cheap, you can get them for around £10-20, theyre pretty simple to replace, as you will see if you slide the panel off the pc.

footymadhouse

hi tom9980
i have just tried using my cable to turn his computer on and all it did was blow the electrics and fuse, does this mean i do need a new power supply and are they easy to d i y. thanks

tom9980

footymadhouse wrote: »

hi tom9980
i have just tried using my cable to turn his computer on and all it did was blow the electrics and fuse, does this mean i do need a new power supply and are they easy to d i y. thanks

Rule out the wall socket being faulty by plugging in something like a cheap hairdryer.

Replacing the PSU is the next step it does seem to be the issue however do not be too suprised if the other components inside the tower have been damaged as well unfortunately you wont know unless you take it to a shop or buy and replace the PSU yourself.

Guide is available here http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/362 and is 7 pages long.

totalsolutions

Hi Looks like a PSU is required then. Please don't scrimp on a cheap psu, this is a typical problem with cheapies. Get a branded one and over the price freshhold of £25. These will serve you well in the long term and give you far more protection hidden deep inside the unit.

Remove the right hand panel (looking from the rear) and locate the psu in the top rear area, following the leads in various colours, reds, yellows, green/blue/ and others to the various connection points and carefully remove all plugs. Take pictures if you can and its your first time. They only go in one way round and you cannot make a mistake. Try disconnecting a few at a time and refit as you go to get experience. Once all cables are out remove the four screws in the back of the pc case to remove the unit and take it to Maplins for an EXACT match. Get a higher wattage if you can, over 450W if yours is less. Refit and keep your fingers crossed. Just to say a cheap PSU will also kill your motherboard/hard drive/video card and anything attached to it. It only takes about 20 mins to replace so is easy to do for a diy'er with simple skills.
Good luck.

footymadhouse

Well i have just been and got a new psu and will fit it later, hopefully this will work, fingers crossed and thanks to everyone for there help.

Jasperodus

When I saw the initial post quite a bit earlier there were no replies so I thought I would try and help.

Although I see you have since been offered good advice, I will still post (simply because it took me quite a while to compose offline);)

---

Hi there,

There can be an on/off switch on the rear of the power supply - could this have accidentally been knocked to off position?
The on/off switch on the front panel can sometimes stick - does yours operate as normal?

If PC does not start:
Attach kettle to PC power lead to rule out any socket/extention fault.

If kettle will not switch on then remove PC mains lead from kettle and fit kettle lead to kettle.

If kettle will not switch on - then there is likely to be a socket/extention fault.
If kettle will switch on - then use kettle lead to see if PC will start.

If PC will start then you need to replace the mains cable for the PC.

If PC still does not start:
Are you confident to open the PC and do a few checks? Are you aware of anti-static precautions?
Switch off PC and remove mains lead.
Lay PC on right side, then remove left-hand panel.

Check the following motherboard cable connections:
From power-supply to motherboard. There may also be a 4 pin motherboard supply connector.
CPU fan to motherboard.
Bunch of cables from front panel.
Also, check memory is securely fitted and retaining-clips are engaged with memory card notches.
Connect power.

If PC does not start:
Switch off and unplug mains lead.
Remove all cards except for memory and graphics card (may not have graphics card if graphics are built into motherboard chipset).
Connect power.

If PC does not start:
Are you confident to try an alternative power-supply?
If you removed any cards, do not replace them for now.
Remove cables from power-supply to motherboard.
Temporarily attach cables from the other power-supply to the motherboard - do not remove/swap any other cables for now.
Ensure this power-supply is stable and safe - you can place a piece of plastic/wood accross the frame of the open computer to support the PSU.
Check inside the computer for any cable/obstruction that may interfere with any fan, or otherwise be a hazard.
Connect power.

If PC does not start:
Problem is likely either CPU/fan, motherboard, memory or graphics card.

If PC does start, then:
Make a note of all power supply cable locations/orientations.
Fit new/replacement power-supply into case.
Re-fit any removed cards.
Check all cables.
Check for obstructions/hazards
Connect mains cable.

If PC is still starting, then switch off, replace side-cover.


If you wish to try an alternative power-supply, how old is your son? Perhaps he may know someone that has a spare power-supply of the same type that you could borrow.
Sorry if any of this seems long-winded, but have to assume that you have no knowledge of computers.
Remember, if you are not confident with any of the above, then best not to bother. Watch out for static and mains-electricity - the static can kill the PC - the mains can kill you.

Anyway, hope this might be of some help.

If anyone would like to make corrections/suggestions, then please feel free as I am not an expert.


Jasperodus.

---

Like I say, you have been offered good advice so you can basically ignore this.

Hope you get sorted.




Jasperodus.

sho_me_da_money

Jasperodus wrote: »

When I saw the initial post quite a bit earlier there were no replies so I thought I would try and help.

Although I see you have since been offered good advice, I will still post (simply because it took me quite a while to compose offline);)

---

Hi there,

There can be an on/off switch on the rear of the power supply - could this have accidentally been knocked to off position?
The on/off switch on the front panel can sometimes stick - does yours operate as normal?

If PC does not start:
Attach kettle to PC power lead to rule out any socket/extention fault.

If kettle will not switch on then remove PC mains lead from kettle and fit kettle lead to kettle.

If kettle will not switch on - then there is likely to be a socket/extention fault.
If kettle will switch on - then use kettle lead to see if PC will start.

If PC will start then you need to replace the mains cable for the PC.

If PC still does not start:
Are you confident to open the PC and do a few checks? Are you aware of anti-static precautions?
Switch off PC and remove mains lead.
Lay PC on right side, then remove left-hand panel.

Check the following motherboard cable connections:
From power-supply to motherboard. There may also be a 4 pin motherboard supply connector.
CPU fan to motherboard.
Bunch of cables from front panel.
Also, check memory is securely fitted and retaining-clips are engaged with memory card notches.
Connect power.

If PC does not start:
Switch off and unplug mains lead.
Remove all cards except for memory and graphics card (may not have graphics card if graphics are built into motherboard chipset).
Connect power.

If PC does not start:
Are you confident to try an alternative power-supply?
If you removed any cards, do not replace them for now.
Remove cables from power-supply to motherboard.
Temporarily attach cables from the other power-supply to the motherboard - do not remove/swap any cables for now.
Ensure this power-supply is stable and safe - you can place a piece of plastic/wood accross the frame of the open computer.
Check inside the computer for any cable/obstruction that may interfere with any fan, or otherwise be a hazard.
Connect power.

If PC does not start:
Problem is likely either motherboard, memory or graphics card.

If PC does start, then:
Make a note of all power supply cable locations/orientations.
Fit new/replacement power-supply into case.
Check all cables.
Check for obstructions/hazards
Connect mains cable.

If PC is still starting, then switch off, replace side-cover.


If you wish to try an alternative power-supply, how old is your son? Perhaps he may know someone that has a spare power-supply of the same type that you could borrow.
Sorry if any of this seems long-winded, but have to assume that you have no knowledge of computers.
Remember, if you are not confident with any of the above, then best not to bother. Watch out for static and mains-electricity - the static can kill the PC - the mains can kill you.

Anyway, hope this might be of some help.

If anyone would like to make corrections/suggestions, then please feel free as I am not an expert.


Jasperodus.

---

Like I say, you have been offered good advice so you can basically ignore this.

Hope you get sorted.




Jasperodus.

Whoa bit long when you can say:

"Change your PSU"

lol

gaming_guy

totalsolutions wrote: »

Just to say a cheap PSU will also kill your motherboard/hard drive/video card and anything attached to it

i have recently had a cheap PSU blow on me after 3yrs and it looks like it took the motherboard with it as well as mine didnt beep when i booted it without any memory.

Jasperodus

sho_me_da_money wrote: »

Whoa bit long when you can say:

"Change your PSU"

lol

Fair enough, but when I saw the original and, at that time, only question from the OP, the situation was that the PC would not turn on. There can be other reasons as well as dead PSU, for a PC not starting.

Remember, I saw just the first post before writing my response.

If I'd have said straight off to replace the PSU - and the computer still failed to start (which can happen) - then I would have not offered the best advice, and caused the poster more expense. The whole point of the OP was not wating to spend too much money.

Oh well, it seems I should not have bothered